New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-22
PULPIT AND PEW.
BITS OF NEWS AND GOSSIP ABOUT THE
CHURCHES AND CHURCHMEN.

CHURCHES AND CHURCHMEN.
Tho Episcopal diocese OF South Carolina 10 rent
asunder the question whether negro presbyter
shall DO allowed to sit In the diocesan convention.
This has been burning question in the south Caro-
lima diocese for several years. On the one side
stand the bishop and large majority OF the clergy
who say that tho diocesan canons make no discrim
nation on account Of color and that therefore by tho
fundamental law Of the diocese coloTed presbyter
has exactly the right to seat in the conyen-
ton, and to vote, that white prcsbyter has,
Moreover, the Episcopal Church loudly asserts Its
cath0iclty, claim which IL will have to yield II it
turns itself into church for only race. On tho
other side stand few OF the clergy and largo
number Of the laity, who say that the diocesan
canons arc silent on tho question of color simply
because those who framed them never contemplated
the possibility Of negroes being admitted equal
ity with whites. Moreover, the Church, they say,
Is social institution, and they cannot recognize
the equality Of tho negro In any social way. There
fore. rather than sit In the same convention with
ono very respectable and devoted negro clergyman.
who Is the rector Of Charleston church, they have
seeded from tho convention Thus the matter
stands ut present. with likelihood of its being
settled until tho next General Convention meets. The
asa. General Convention, by tho way, showed o
marked Discrimination to touch this question except
IN tho most general way 1t is noted interest
ing fact that the laymen who have been the leaders
In this schism were also very prominent In tho
secession that led to the civil And they werc
beaten In that contest IL Is quito likely that they
will be beaten in this contest.
Tho seeding Episcopallans Of South Carolina get
very littlo sympathy from other parts of the South.
SO cool q Southern paper "1he Memphis Appeal
calls their conduct illogical "If the .nigger'n ID
says, is driven out Of tho wOodple of the Episco-
palians OF South Carolina, they will have to Label
themselves brevct Catholics. They cannot claim to
DO simon purcs. They must so the whole figure,
embrace the colored brother, range
themselves with the much-despised dissenters This
would be a bitter dose, but it would not be hard
to take as tho niger In that way they post
bono tho inevltablb until trey cross the line. In
ueavon there will be no avoiding the negro. Washed
in the blood OF the Lamb, he will be OF the
color as tho fasdious ehurchmen of South Carolina.
lie will not smell in Heaven"
People in this part Of the country who know tho
Rev. DR. George +. Tcntccost, tho evangelist will be
surprised at tho criticism Of his methods of preach
Ing made by the Rev DR.. Hosmcr, of Cleveland,
IN substance Dr. Hosmcr says that DR.. Pentecost
in his preaching entirely Ignores the ethical side Of
Christianity and goes "out of his way TO disparage
those everyday moalities which the security Of
society md which distinguish tho ordinarily faithful
and honest citizen from tho depTaved and vicious
elements Of tho community" And he bases this
statement on this reported uttcranco Of DR.. Tcnte-
cost: "a who takes OF his family, who Is
generous, kind and charitable, Is worse than q
drunkan IL no does not believe In Christ lie IL
woIso than blasphemer because he can't lead a
feOw-man to God" 1t Is only fair to say, however,
that Dr HOsemr dpes not speak for evangelical
Christians who largely supported DR.. Pcnteeost In
his work in Cleveland
Tho question Of future probation is still seriously
disturbing tho Congregational churches The old thcol-
osy men now appear to be making preparations
for tho ncxs meeting Of the American Board of Com
mlssOners for Foreign Missions, which viii be held
in Springfield, Mass, in october. Their object Is to
strengthen tho wavering members OF the Board, 80
that it will DO possible for all TO crush the
theology on tho other hand, the now-theoogy
men, or Andover spectators, they contempt
uousy called by their opponents, doing good
deal Of quiet work, although they profess TO rely
mainly tho fact that the spirit Of the age is on
their side. The orthodox party, however, will
hardly acknowledge tho right Of the spirit Of the
age 10 decide this controversy and may be trusted to
ignore its influence. Altogether the next meeting
Of tho BOarl promises TO DO oven tempes.uous
than the last meeting which held at Des Moines.
According to a correspondent OF "The Newark
Sunday Call" the recent troubles in Trinity Church,
Of that city, due TO the fact that the rector.
the Rev. J. Sanders Reed, determined 10 break up
tho "fcudalism' which, the correspondent says, has
existed IN that parish His desire to mako Trinity
m0e church for tho people generally, and NOT
his fondncss for bltuasm, the real Of the
trouble.
The beautiful and stately pile OF buildings in West
Philadelphia, TO be known Christ Church and Theo-
ogca Seminary Of the Reformed Episcopal Church,
Will soon DO completed. Bishop Nicholson will DO
the dean OF the new seminary, which viii accommo-
date sixty students. Tho Rev. Dr.. J. Howard Smith
will be tho professor of systematic theology and the
Rev W. W. LovejOy will fill the chair Of Hebrew.
The other professors will be elected at the General
Council of tho Reformed Episcopal Church in the
United states and Canada, which meets In Pbladel
lhia on Wednesday Of this week The Reformed
Episcopal Church is a comparatively small body as
vet, but Is growing In numbers and influence.
-Four years ago "Tho Independent" gave a con-
dcnsed statistical exhibit OF the churches in tho
United States. ID now gives similar exhibit The
fol lowing comparative tables which "The indie
pendent gives will lie interesting:
NET GAINS IN FOUR YEARS.
Chs Min Com.
/ iists 66Sl